Fire at Delhi HC Judge Yashwant Varma’s house leads to recovery of huge pile of cash, Supreme Court collegium acts
A major controversy has erupted in the judiciary following the discovery of a substantial amount of unaccounted cash at the official residence of a Delhi High Court judge. This incident has prompted the Supreme Court collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, to take immediate action by transferring Justice Yashwant Varma to another high court, as per reports.
The unexpected turn of events began last week when a fire broke out at Justice Varma’s government-allocated bungalow in New Delhi. At the time of the incident, Justice Varma was reportedly not in town. His family members, who were present at the residence, immediately sought help from the fire brigade and police to contain the fire.
Once the fire was successfully brought under control, the first responders carried out a thorough inspection of the affected area. During this assessment, they stumbled upon a staggering amount of cash inside one of the rooms. The sheer volume of currency discovered raised concerns, leading the responding officials to document the recovery in their official records. This incident soon escalated to higher authorities, bringing it to the attention of the Chief Justice of India.
Upon being informed of the situation, the CJI took the matter seriously and decided to convene a meeting of the Supreme Court collegium. During the meeting, the members deliberated on the implications of the incident and its potential impact on the reputation of the judiciary. After discussions, the collegium arrived at a unanimous decision to transfer Justice Varma back to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court. Justice Varma had initially been appointed to the Delhi High Court in October 2021, following his tenure at the Allahabad High Court.
However, sources indicate that some members of the collegium felt that a mere transfer was not sufficient given the gravity of the situation. These members reportedly argued that stricter action was necessary to preserve the credibility of the judiciary and maintain public trust in the institution. They opined that Justice Varma should consider resigning voluntarily to avoid further controversy and speculation surrounding the judiciary’s integrity.
If the judge refuses to step down, certain collegium members recommended that an in-house inquiry be launched under the supervision of the CJI. Such an inquiry would aim to ascertain the source of the cash and determine whether any misconduct or irregularities were involved.
The judiciary has long been regarded as a pillar of democracy, ensuring fairness and justice for all. Any allegations or controversies surrounding its members have the potential to erode public confidence in the system. Consequently, judicial authorities are treading carefully to ensure that the situation is handled with utmost transparency and accountability.
As the matter unfolds, legal experts and observers await further developments regarding whether Justice Varma will voluntarily resign, face an internal investigation, or be subjected to additional disciplinary measures. The Supreme Court’s handling of this case is expected to set a precedent for how similar instances may be addressed in the future, reinforcing the judiciary’s commitment to upholding ethical standards and public trust.
